Defensive Osijek once again holds up on Maksimir

Stadium Maksimir, 10.3.2013.

MAXtv Prva liga, 23. round

GNK Dinamo – NK Osijek 0:0

Referees: Lukša Klaić (Konavle), Borut Križarić (Čakovec), Jerko Crnčić (Vrbovec), Zlatko Šimčić (Koprivnica)

Spectators: 2500

Dinamo: Kelava - Vrsaljko, Jedvaj, Šimunić, Ibanez - Leko - Halilović (67. Brozović), Sammir, Ademi, Beqiraj (57. Pivarić) - Krstanović (78. Tomečak)

Osijek: Mikulić - Ibriks, Smoje, Leko, Lešković - Pušić, Kurtović - Jakovljević (54. Glavaš), Pongračić (90. Zulim), Kvržić - Blatnjak (90. Krstanović)

Yellow cards: Sammir (32.), Leko (90.) / Blatnjak (20.), Smoje (27.)

Dinamo couldn't find a way through defensive Osijek so the last game of the 23. round of the MAXtv Prva liga ended goalless. Modri were a better team for the whole 90 minutes, had control of the game and several good chances but Osijek players defended very well and managed to stay undefeated in the third season game against the champions.

Coach Krunoslav Jurčić said there could be changes in the team but the only one was the one he had to make because Duje Čop was injured so his vacant place on the left wing opened a spot for Fatos Beqiraj. The rest of the team was standard but so was Osijek's game style – defensive and successful as usual.

Dinamo's first attempt was a long distance was from Ivan Krstanović after five minutes and the same player had a great chance few minutes later. Vrsaljko made a nice cross from the right side, Krstanović jumped and placed a beautiful header but Mikulić made his first great save of the day. Dinamo was a much better team and after 16 minutes Beqiraj had a "one-on-one" situation.

It was Halilović who made a brilliant pass so Beqiraj was alone in front of Mikulić but Osijek's goalkeeper saved our striker's shot with his leg. As the half time was approaching Osijek managed to push the play away from their goal and despite several good crossing situations and set pieces there was no goals in the first 45 minutes.

In the second half – same story. Dinamo was dominating and Osijek defending. Of course, in that kind of play it's easiest to score from long distance or set piece situation so Halilović tried his shot in the 55th minute but his attempt was once again saved by Mikulić. Modri had numerous "semi-chances" where all that was missing was the final pass but somehow there was always an Osijek player to save things for the guests.

The last ten minutes Osijek was pushed to their own box and away team players spent most of the time on the ground "stealing time". Last chance of the game belonged to Tin Jedvaj who place a shot of Sammir's cross and Šimunić's header but the post and Mikulić saved the day for Osijek.

After 0:0 in Maksimir in autumn and 2:1 win in Osijek a month ago Stanko Mršić and his players once again managed to stay unbeaten against Dinamo. Despite the draw, Dinamo extended their lead on the league table to 12 points and are racing towards their 8th consecutive title.